TxDOT gives update on Trinity River Bridge work

BEAUMONT— Bridges are exposed every day to heavy traffic, weather, water and time. Maintenance is how we catch small problems before they become safety issues or costly failures. Proactive care ensures that bridges remain safe, operational, and dependable—while also saving taxpayers money by extending their lifespan.

All bridges within the Beaumont District undergo thorough annual inspections to ensure structural integrity and public safety. In 2024, detailed inspections were conducted on both the Trinity River Bridge and the Old & Lost Bridge. Based on the findings, the Texas Department of Transportation developed a comprehensive maintenance contract to address the identified needs.

Ragle Construction, Inc., began work in October 2025. While we understand that construction can be frustrating—especially during this time of year—these repairs are essential. Given Southeast Texas’ hurricane season and year-round unpredictable weather, this timing was chosen to ensure the safety and success of the project.

Work on these bridges requires traffic to be reduced to two lanes in each direction and at times, it requires additional lane closures at night. This is being done concurrently to minimize the construction timeline.

The type of work on this project does not lend itself to 24/7 work or additional crews. Some of the repair work is underneath the bridges; therefore, crews may not always be seen by the traveling public. It is important to note that these repairs are dependent on temperature and humidity.

The contractor is working during the day and night. Operations include joint sealing, crack sealing, surface treatment, polymer overlay, and bridge deck and rail repairs.

TxDOT has worked with the contractor to expedite the project, which is now anticipated to be completed two months early. The eastbound side should be completed by the end of January and the westbound direction should be completed in the spring. This timeline is weather permitting.

This project includes a polymer overlay over both bridges. During application, this product is very temperamental to weather conditions. The polymer overlay was chosen because it adds waterproofing and skid traction to the bridge decks.

The lane closures must stay in place once work begins. Removing them when work isn’t possible due to weather or nature of work causes additional lane closures and increases the construction time.

We are coordinating with local first responders and local government officials to make improvements where possible and improve access for emergency response. On Tuesday, Dec. 23, TxDOT closed Interstate 10 westbound at the Trinity River entrance ramp after a recommendation from the Chambers County Sheriff’s office and the Texas Department of Public Safety due to an increased number of crashes.

TxDOT is committed to the safety of the traveling public. We ask motorists to follow all traffic laws. Below are some tips motorists can apply when traveling through a work zone.

• Slow down. Follow the speed limit and never drive faster than what is safe for road conditions.

• Pay attention. Avoid distractions and put your phone away.

• Watch out for road crews. Always follow instructions and be mindful of construction area road signs.

• Don’t tailgate. Traffic in work zones can slow suddenly, so give yourself room to stop. Rear-end collisions are the most common type of work zone crash.

• Allow extra time. Road construction can slow things down. Count on it, and plan for it.

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